Prediction: Wolves vs Brighton

Verdict: Wolves to qualify 

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Luckster

In an all-Premier League FA Cup showdown on Wednesday night, Wolves will welcome Brighton to Molineux.

Wolves

Starting with the hosts, while Wolves might have opened the 2023/24 campaign dealing with some real financial issues behind the scenes at Molineux, Gary O’Neil’s side have continued on a real domestic romp this season. Receiving a string of plaudits from across England’s elite, they have skyrocketed their way into the top-half of the table and the mood in their camp appears to be at a red-hot high. Picking up a gritty 1-0 victory against relegation scrappers Sheffield United over the weekend, the former Bournemouth boss has seen his squad win three of their previous four top-flight appearances. Extending on their FA Cup adventure on January 28th thanks to a fiery 2-0 win away at bitter local rivals West From, O’Neil’s men have suffered just a pair of defeats from any of their previous 12 showdowns across all formats.

Team News

While attacking talisman Matheus Cunha might be inching towards a return from a recent thigh injury, the former Atletico Madrid striker is not expected to feature here. Although South Korea international Hee-Chan Hwang might have featured against Sheffield United over the weekend, the 28-year-old could be handed a rest on Wednesday night.

Despite continued speculation over his long-term future at Molineux, Pedro Neto will have a leading role to play in midweek. With O’Neil potentially looking to make a handful of changes here, the likes of Matt Doherty and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde will be hoping for a recall.

Brighton

As for the visitors, while Brighton might have snatched a last-gasp 1-1 stalemate against Everton over the weekend, Roberto De Zerbi’s men have largely struggled with their consistency this season. Signing off January with an infamous 4-0 drumming at the hands of Luton, the Seagulls have failed to collect back-to-back victories across any competition since the end of November. However, getting their Europa League knockout stage adventure underway next month, the former Sassuolo boss is still dreaming of the chance to punch another top-seven finish in 2024. Although Brighton might have been forced to settle for a 0-0 stalemate when they met Wolves in Premier League action on January 22nd, they do hold a rampant record against Wednesday’s hosts. in fact, De Zerbi’s men have collected 13 points from their previous five top-flight showdowns against Wolves – a run that stems back to December 2021.

Team News

Shown a straight red card against Everton over the weekend, Brighton will be without the suspended Billy Gilmour on Wednesday night. Likewise, all still dealing with respective injury issues, the Seagulls will once again be without the likes of Joao Pedro, Solly March, James Milner and Japan international Kaoru Mitoma.

However returning from a long-term knee injury over the weekend and making a cameo appearance at the Amex, 20-year-old Julio Enciso could make a first start since opening the New Year. Likewise, Barcelona loanee Ansu Fati should be handed a full recall in the Midlands.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Wolves and Brighton last met on January 22nd, Wednesday’s opponents played out a 0-0 stalemate.
• The Seagulls have collected 13 points from their last five Premier League meetings against Wolves.
• Likewise, Brighton have won all of their previous three trips to Molineux by an aggregate score of 10-3.
• However, Wolves have lost just a pair of their previous 12 domestic appearances across all competitions.
• Brighton have failed to register consecutive victories across any competition since the end of November.

Conclusion

While Brighton might hold a rampant record against Wednesday’s hosts, the Seagulls should be bracing themselves for a tricky test when they travel to Molineux. With Wolves in the midst of what has been a stellar domestic romp, O’Neil’s men have skyrocketed their way into the top-half of the Premier League table and the mood in their camp appears to be at a red-hot high. Losing just a pair of their previous 12 showdowns across all competitions, we are backing Wolves to extend on their FA Cup adventure.

Verdict: Wolves to qualify 

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Luckster